Word Origin & History

exotic 1590s, "belonging to another country," from L. exoticus, from Gk. exotikos "foreign," lit. "from the outside," from exo- "outside," from ex "out of." Sense of "unusual, strange" first recorded in English 1620s, from notion of "alien, outlandish." In reference to strip-teasers and dancing girls, it is first attested 1954, Amer.Eng.

Example Sentences for exotic

It gave me the notion of an exotic Immensity ruled by an august Benevolence.

It was the exotic complexion and the slightness of his build which had put me off so completely.

It was now May, and London was bright with all the exotic gaiety of the season.

There was a kind of exotic quality in meeting Gistla that never disappeared.

Its language was Latin, an exotic dialect in the Eastern half of the Empire.

"The North does not suit such an exotic plant as yourself," he said.

Bring no exotic flowers: America was in their hearts, And they are ours For ever and a day.

There seemed to be several varieties, all grotesque in shape and exotic in color.

It is certain that, so long as religion is an exotic, its existence will be precarious.

They were as exotic to my sister's husband as the ethics of esoteric Buddhism.